Jordan Wallum was credited with a kill on this play for Midway.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Maranda Byrd of Midway extends for a dig against Princeton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Midway’s varsity volleyball team was unable to capitalize on a strong start in a 3-1 loss to visiting nonconference foe Princeton on Monday. Individual set scores were 25-18, 13-25, 16-25 and 17-25.
“Inconsistency,” said Midway coach Brandy Wrench. “I’m ticked about the game. We did not play good. We started out strong in the first set and then after that, we just didn’t pick it back up. We made some really bad decisions and careless errors and that really starts to put a toll on your points whenever you’re giving them point after point after point.”
Senior Caitlyn Holland had eight kills, 11 assists and two blocks, senior Jordan Wallum had seven kills and 10 digs, junior Sydney Williams had a double-double, with 11 assists and 10 digs, and junior Maranda Byrd had 31 digs to lead the Raiders (16-5).
Makayla Chavis had four kills and four digs. Allison Belflowers had three kills, two blocks, four digs and one ace on eight service points. Chloe Baggett had two kills, one assist and five digs. Byrd had one kill and three aces on six service points. Natalie McPhail had one assist, eight digs and two aces on nine service points. Holland had seven digs and one ace on three service points. Emma Clark had two digs. Byrd had three aces on six service points. Williams had one ace on three service points. Wallum held serve for two points.
The Bulldogs (18-3) were led by sophomore Alaina Johnson, with 10 kills, two blocks and three aces on nine service points, junior Caroline Norris, with eight kills and one ace on 11 service points, junior Le’Onna Nelson, with eight kills, and junior Meredith Wooten, with 37 assists.
Midway held a 19-11 lead in the first set when Princeton rallied with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to just one. But a Holland kill, assisted by Williams, sparked a 6-0 run, capped by a McPhail ace to end the set.
Holding a 10-9 lead in the second set, Princeton finished the set on a 15-4 run, capped by a Johnson kill, assisted by Wooten.
With the score tied 5-5 in the third set, Princeton used a 15-6 run to fully take control of the set.
Midway held an early 2-1 lead in the fourth set, but three unanswered points gave Princeton the lead for good.
Princeton, unbeaten in Carolina 1-A Conference play, has already claimed at least a share of its conference title and can clinch it outright with a win at Neuse Charter (16-6) on Tuesday.
Midway ends the regular season at home on ThurMidway’s varsity volleyball team was unable to capitalize on a strong start in a 3-1 loss to visiting non-conference foe Princeton on Monday. Individual set scores were 25-18, 13-25, 16-25 and 17-25.
“Inconsistency,” said Midway coach Brandy Wrench. “I’m ticked about the game. We did not play good. We started out strong in the first set and then after that, we just didn’t pick it back up. We made some really bad decisions and careless errors and that really starts to put a toll on your points whenever you’re giving them point after point after point.”
Senior Caitlyn Holland had eight kills, 11 assists and two blocks, senior Jordan Wallum had seven kills and 10 digs, junior Sydney Williams had a double-double, with 11 assists and 10 digs, and junior Maranda Byrd had 31 digs to lead the Raiders (16-5).
Makayla Chavis had four kills and four digs. Allison Belflowers had three kills, two blocks, four digs and one ace on eight service points. Chloe Baggett had two kills, one assist and five digs. Byrd had one kill and three aces on six service points. Natalie McPhail had one assist, eight digs and two aces on nine service points. Holland had seven digs and one ace on three service points. Emma Clark had two digs. Byrd had three aces on six service points. Williams had one ace on three service points. Wallum held serve for two points.
The Bulldogs (18-3) were led by sophomore Alaina Johnson, with 10 kills, two blocks and three aces on nine service points, junior Caroline Norris, with eight kills and one ace on 11 service points, junior Le’Onna Nelson, with eight kills, and junior Meredith Wooten, with 37 assists.
Midway held a 19-11 lead in the first set when Princeton rallied with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to just one. But a Holland kill, assisted by Williams, sparked a 6-0 run, capped by a McPhail ace to end the set.
Holding a 10-9 lead in the second set, Princeton finished the set on a 15-4 run, capped by a Johnson kill, assisted by Wooten.
With the score tied 5-5 in the third set, Princeton used a 15-6 run to fully take control of the set.
Midway held an early 2-1 lead in the fourth set, but three unanswered points gave Princeton the lead for good.
Princeton, unbeaten in Carolina 1-A Conference play, has already claimed at least a share of its conference title and can clinch it outright with a win at Neuse Charter (16-6) on Tuesday.
Midway ends the regular season at home on Thursday for Senior Night against East Central 2-A Conference and Sampson County rival Clinton (19-1) with the conference title on the line. Midway gave the Dark Horses their only loss of the season in a five-set battle at Clinton on Sept. 24.
Sydney Williams (5) sets for the Raiders in Monday’s match.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Allison Belflowers makes a hit at the net for Midway.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Natalie McPhail serves for the Raiders in Monday’s match.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Caitlyn Holland of Midway goes up for a kill.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Midway seniors are, from left, Makayla Chavis, Jordan Wallum, Caitlyn Holland and Natalie McPhail. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
